Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Sexcapades

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Choosing a suitable man should be like shopping for a used car - you wouldn't buy a used vehicle without knowing something about the car's past. At least that's what Carfax likes to tell us.

But what about Datefax, a simple printout that gives a descriptive detail of a potential date's past? This printout would include a list of all past relationships with details as to why they broke up, track records in terms of how they treated past girlfriends and everyone's favorite detail: sexual past.

Sophomore business major Daniel Roberts sees the potential in having a tool like Datefax.

"I think it would be helpful for women to find men that are dependable and loyal," Roberts said.

If nothing, a Datefax would save a lot of time. Imagine going on a date and already knowing the potential "man of your dreams" has two kids and one on the way.

But freshman civil engineering major Montie Easter thinks discrimination would definitely play a role in Datefax.

"It gives them a heads up but you don't want to judge the person," Easter said.

In my 24 years, I have found that navigating the dating world can be tumultuous and often times very unsatisfying. At the risk of sounding bitter, the early stages of dating are based on nothing but a web of lies. This goes for men and women. Call me odd but I'd rather know about your cheating past before I choose to get into a serious relationship.

Issues of trust are always going to come into play when dating and that's the main reason why Datefax should be implemented. True, your word should be your bond but lying has almost become fashionable.

Datefax shouldn't just include relationship history. For an extra fee, customers should be able to get a Datefax extended report. It can include certain aspects of a potential date's financial history. I'm not talking a full-blown credit report but information about possible evictions and or default credit card/car/ student loan/child support payments would prove to be helpful.

Furthermore, the extended report can and should also include the potential date's living situation. Finding out the guy is 33 and still living at home with his mother could change the situation.

Graduate student Julie McDonald sees the flaws of Datefax, such as barring you from prospective mates that would be perfect for you had you not pulled their report.

When everything is said and done, a tool like Datefax could save a person from a potentially toxic relationship because having an inkling about the person's past would prove to be helpful.



Oneika Richardson can be reached at orichardson@statehornet.com

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